Omeed-e-Kodak: Hope for the Babies

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Here are the instructions in four languages. If you have translated in another language, please send us a copy and we can post here.

Instructions for one baby sweater:

Need about 80 grams of yarn, the needles size 3,5 or 4.

Cast on 70 stitches and knit 2 two purl and 2 knit stitches for 22 cm. Then knit 4 cm so that the 22 stitches in the middle continue as before (2/2) but 24 stitches on both sides are knitted only knit stitches ( no purl). Then make the square hole in the middle by terminating the 22 stitches in the centre and continuing both sides separately for 6 cm. Then re-cast on the centre and continue again 4 cm by 2/2 with 22 in the centre and 24 on both sides as knit only. Then make all 2/2 and knit 22 cm more before terminating. It is in the end one long piece (about 58 cm) with the square hole in the centre. Fold it and stitch the sides and leave the openings for the sleeves.

This is a new model from Finland that we are now testing for Afghanistan.
The idea came from a Finnish blog http://pienilankarulla.blogspot.fi/2013/11/toukkapussi-villakapalo.html but as in that instruction the knitting has been made with a circular knitting needle that is not available in Afghanistan, Tuuli in Rovaniemi has developed a slightly revised model using two knitting needles.

Instructions in English:

Instructions for A knitted “baby cocoon” for Hope for the Babies International (HOBI)

Cast on 100 stitches with 2 needles hold together (in this way the 1st row is more stretchy).

Row 1: *Knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches*. Repeat the pattern to the end of the row. Turn the item.

Row 2: *Knit 2, purl 2* to the end of the row.

Use all the time this pattern (rib).

1st increase: When the project is 7 cm long, add 4 stitches after 24 stitches. Continue *knit 2, purl 2*. Add 4 stitches when there are 24 stitches left on this row. Altogether you have added 8 new stitches on this row. Do the increase as follows: after the last two purl stitches (the 23rd and 24th stitch on the needle), use the yarn between these and the following stitches to add those 4 new stitches. “Twist” the stitch before knitting/purling it, thus you will avoid a little hole in the pattern. You will knit the 1st and 2nd new stitches and purl the 3rd and 4th stitches. Continue normally *knit 2, purl 2* until the next increase. The total length here is 14 cm.

2nd increase: Add 2x 4 stitches = 8 stitches as described above. Continue with *knit 2, purl 2*, until the next increase. The total length here is 21 cm.

3rd increase: Add 2x 4 stitches = 8 stitches as described above. Continue with *knit 2, purl 2*, until the next increase. The total length here is 28 cm.

4th increase: Add 2x 4 stitches = 8 stitches as described above. Continue with *knit 2, purl 2*, until the end. When the item is about 45 cm long, cast off 20 stitches.

Continue with the rest of the stitches (100 + 2x 4+ 2x4+ 2x4+ 2x4-20 = 112) *knit 2, purl 2* to the end of the row. Turn the item.

Cast off 8 stitches. Continue *knit 2, purl 2* to the end of the row. Turn the item.

Cast off 8 stitches. Continue *knit 2, purl 2* to the end of the row. Turn the item.

Cast off 4 stitches. Continue *knit 2, purl 2* to the end of the row. Turn the item.

Cast off 4 stitches. Continue *knit 2, purl 2* to the end of the row. Turn the item.

Continue *knit 2, purl 2*.

When the hood is 7 cm long, start increasing on each row one stitch: Knit the 1st stitch on the row, add a stitch, continue with the *knit 2, purl 2* pattern. Turn the item and add one stitch etc.

When you have more increases, I used *knit 1, purl 1* ribbing for the part with the increases. The middle section was still made with the normal *knit 2, purl 2* pattern. When this part is 12 cm long (altogether 7+12 =19 cm), cast off.

Sew the long sides together (use a needle here). Now you have a tube. NB The seam is not in the middle of the tube. Sew the short side together (for the feet). Sew the top together (hood). Weave in ends.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Newborn baby girl receiving today a HOBI outfit in Dashte Barchi clinic in western part of Kabul! There had been 11 babies born during the night but most of them had been already sent home with their mothers because of the patient rooms not having heating in the clinic. Therefore the sweaters, hats, socks and blankets provided by HOBI are highly appreciated! Thank you!

About Me

This blog represents the initiative to increase the chances of survival of the newborn babies in Afghanistan by providing them sweaters that are easy to put on and keep clean.
Through this blog, we'll keep you updated of the progress and events.